Preventive dentistry is a crucial aspect of dental care focused on maintaining good oral health. It’s about taking proactive steps to prevent the development of cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. This approach to dental care helps keep your teeth and gums healthy and can save you time and money by reducing the need for more complex treatments down the line.
In this blog post, we will explore five key treatments at Covington, Louisiana dental care in preventive dentistry that you should consider incorporating into your oral health routine.
Routine Dental Cleanings and Examinations
Regular dental cleanings and examinations are foundational to preventive dental care. During a cleaning, a dental hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth, removing plaque and tartar that you can’t remove with brushing and flossing alone. This helps to prevent gum disease and cavities. Examinations allow your dentist to detect early signs of dental issues, which can be addressed before they develop into serious problems. By visiting your dentist regularly, typically every six months, you ensure that your teeth and gums are in optimal condition.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are another effective preventive treatment. They work by creating a protective shield over the enamel of your teeth. Sealants are typically applied to the back teeth, which are more prone to decay due to their grooved surfaces that are hard to clean. The sealant material is applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars to prevent food particles and bacteria from getting stuck and causing decay. This treatment is especially beneficial for children and teenagers who are still mastering their oral hygiene skills, but adults can also benefit from sealants.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride helps in strengthening tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. Fluoride treatments are an important part of preventive dentistry because they can significantly decrease the risk of cavities. These treatments are typically given in a gel, foam, or varnish form, and are more concentrated than the fluoride found in toothpaste and drinking water. Receiving fluoride treatments at your dental office can help keep your teeth healthy and strong, especially for those at higher risk of dental decay.
Custom Mouthguards
For individuals who participate in sports or grind their teeth at night (a condition known as bruxism), custom mouthguards are a preventive measure to protect teeth from damage. Sports-related impacts can cause broken teeth, lip and cheek injuries, and even more severe harm such as jaw fractures. Similarly, grinding can wear down your teeth over time. Custom mouthguards are designed to fit comfortably in your mouth, providing protection that over-the-counter guards cannot match.
Antimicrobial Mouth Rinses
Antimicrobial mouth rinses are used to reduce bacterial count in the mouth, thereby helping to combat gum disease. These rinses can benefit individuals at an increased risk of periodontal disease or who have already shown signs of gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. By incorporating an antimicrobial rinse into your daily oral hygiene routine, you can help maintain your oral health and prevent the progression of gum disease.
Maintaining the health of your teeth and gums is crucial, and preventive dentistry is key to achieving this. You can take significant steps toward preserving oral health by engaging in treatments like routine cleanings, applying sealants, receiving fluoride treatments, using custom mouthguards, and incorporating antimicrobial mouth rinses.
At Grand Family Dentistry, we help our patients achieve and maintain optimal dental health.
To learn more about how we can help you with preventive dental care, explore our general and family dentistry page.
Book an Appointment
If you would like to book an appointment with one of our dentists and teams at Grand Family Dentistry, we invite you to contact us in Mandeville, Louisiana. We are here to help with all your family’s dental needs!